Combination shipping and carrying container

ABSTRACT

A combined shipping and carrying package for a stringed musical instrument of the zither type having strings on one face thereof, said package comprising a molded cellular body having a recess for the reception of the musical instrument in inverted position, a fitted cover for said body with closure means and a handle for selectively carrying the body and contained musical instrument, said fitted cover being foldable for reception within said recess together with the musical instrument during shipping, and a disposable shock-resistant wrapper for enclosing said body and contents during shipping.

United States Patent [72] Inventor Glen R. Peterson, Jr.

Summit, NJ. [21 1 Appl. No. 782,880 [22] Filed Dee. ll, 1968 [45]Patented Aug. 3, 1971 [73] Assignee Oscar Schmidt-International, Inc.

Union, NJ.

[54] COMBINATION SHIPPING AND CARRYING CONTAINER 3 Chins, 8 Drawing Pb.

[52] US. 206/14, 206/47 R, 190/43 [5| 1 Int. Cl 365d 83/54, A45c 11/00[50] Field olSearel 206/16, 13, l, 46 F, 47, 14; 190/35 [56] RelereneesCited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,302,780 2/1967 Massman et al. 206/46 FCM3,414,121 12/1968 Suzuki 206/46 FCM 3,088,583 5/1963 Holtz 206/65 X 3,17l ,700 3/1965 Parsell et a]. 206/1 X 3,326,359 6/1967 Katz 206/133,451,536 6/1969 OLe ary et al. 206/16 X Primary Examiner-Joseph R.Leclair Assistant Examiner-John M, Caskie AnorneysA. Yates Dowell and A.Yates Dowel], Jr.

ABSTRACT: A combined shipping and carrying package for a stringedmusical instrument of the zither type having strings on one facethereof, said package comprising a molded cellular body having a recessfor the reception of the musical instrument in inverted position, afitted cover for said body with closure means and a handle forselectively carrying the body and contained musical instrument, saidfitted cover being foldable for reception within said recess togetherwith the musical instrument during shipping, and a disposableshockresistant wrapper for enclosing said body and contents duringshipping.

PATENTED Am; 3am

SHEEI 1 OF 2 IN VENT OR 620m. Pzrifisoxwe BY (74 441 f 6 ATTORNEY) Theinvention is in the field of shipping and carrying cases 5 for itemssuch as relatively small musical instruments, particularly of the typeused by children. Musical instruments are frequently loaned to childrenover a period of time when they are taking lessons at school orelsewhere. These are ordinarily carried in cases which may receive roughhandling, for example, by dropping, bumping, exposure to water, and thelike. Such handling may damage the carrying case as well as theinstrument. Conventional carrying cases do not provide adequateprotection against severe shock and moisture and are relativelyexpensive.

Resultantly, a substantial element of expense in connection with musicalinstruments used by children, especially in school programs, has beencaused by damage to the instruments and the carrying cases. Carryingcases for instruments generally consisted of a boxli ke receptacle witha hinged cover and latch, shaped generally to conform to the instrument,and of a cardboard or fiberboard material.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention includes an inexpensive moldedcellular body having an internal recess on one side shaped to snuglyreceive the instrument and appurtenances. A fitted case or cover ofcloth or the like having a closable opening and a handle snugly receivesthe plastic body with the instrument mounted therein for ordinarycarrying. The cover is preferably of waterproof material such asrubberized fabric. The plastic body is of such material that it protectsthe instrument against possible injury resulting from shock even if itis dropped. Both the cover and the plastic body are inexpensive, costingonly a fraction of that of a conventional case, even the leastexpensive.

For shipping purposes, the instrument is mounted in the body, the sameas for carrying, the case is folded and placed on the instrument withinits recess, and a disposable shock-resistant wrapping such as corrugatedboard is secured around the body.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Reference is made to the accompanyingdrawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective of the container arranged for shipping;

FIG. 2, an exploded view illustrating the tray and shipping container orwrapping, separately;

FIG. 3, a perspective of the tray in which the instrument is housed;

FIG. 4, a plan of the tray;

FIGS. 5 and 6, enlarged sections on the lines 5-5 and 6-6 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7, a perspective on a larger scale of the tray within the opencarrying case; and

FIG. 8, a perspective of the closed carrying case.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT With further reference to thedrawings, the invention includes a tray or body 10 which may be ofsubstantially rectangular configuration having a recess 11 for receivingan instrument 12 such as a zither. The zither or other instrument is ofirregular configuration and may have strings on one side which requireprotection while the instrument is being carried. The recess 11 isshaped to snugly receive the instrument and has a ledge 13 spaced fromthe top and bottom of the recess sufficiently to mount the instrumentwith the strings, or other protuberances, spaced from the bottom of therecess. The ledge spacing and the depth of the tray and recess arepreferably such as to position the uppermost portion of the instrumentbeneath the plane of the upper portion of the tray as indicated in FIGS.2 and 7. A supplementary recess 14 may be provided for an appurtenancesuch as a tuning wrench 15 as indicated in FIGS. 2, 3 and 7.

The border of the recess may have depressions l6, 17 to improve thecarrying characteristics of the case and also to provide spaces forinsertion of the fingers to assist in the removal of the instrument. Formaximum protection, the instrument is preferably mounted face down asillustrated in FIGS. 2 and 7,

and may have feet 19 on spaced portions on which the instrument may restwhile in use and to which a lifting tab 20 may be attached.

In order to insure retention of the instrument and avoid inadvertentdislodgement, a strap 21 is preferably placed around the tray with theinstrument therein, suitably provided at the sides of the tray forpositioning the strap, including its buckle 22.

When the instrument is normally carried, it is recessed within the trayand the tray is placed within a fitted cover or case 25, having a lowerportion 26 with a handle 27 and a top 28. A closable fastener such as azipper 30 permits easy opening of the case, which snugly fits the tray.The cover is preferably of relatively inexpensive material such as clothwhich is treated to make it water resistant, such as rubberized fabric,or the like.

When the instrument is shipped, the cover 25 is folded and held by thestrap 21 on the back of the instrument and is protected by a nonrigid,crushable, shock-resistant shipping container such as a corrugatedsleeve 32, which may be conventionally secured by tape.

The tray is preferably made of an inexpensive cellular foam which isrelatively rigid such as polystyrene. This plastic A produces alightweight rigid closed cell foam having excellent shock-resistantproperties since the cell structure permits crushing under impact orload, depending on the nature and force thereof, and is water-resistantand buoyant. Such materials are known for use as shipping containers andhave generally been discarded after shipment. Since the material issubject to abrasion and is generally white and easily soiled, it

has disadvantages if used as the sole container for an instrument thatis frequently carried. However, when protected within a closely fittingbut inexpensive cover, it provides the body to give the cover anattractive shape, is itself protected against abrasion, and with thecover prevents foreign matter and moisture from reaching the instrument.Hence the tray and the cover cooperate to produce an inexpensive carrierof superior characteristics. As compared with a conventional carrier,the present carrier can be produced at substantially less cost and isvastly superior for protecting the instrument, as compared to aconventional carrier. Either the tray or the cover may be replaced ifeither is damaged instead of having to replace an entire carrying caseas with conventional cases.

I claim:

I. A package for a stringed musical instrument of the zither type havingstrings on one face thereof and a folded fabric case selectively usablefor carrying said stringed musical instrument, said package including acontainer comprising a molded, substantially rigid, crushable cellularbody, said body having a recess for the reception of said stringedmusical instrument snugly in inverted position and spaced from theperiphery of said body, said fabric case including closure means and acarrying handle and being foldable for reception within the recess insaid body and superimposed upon the back of said stringed musicalinstrument, the depth of the recess in said body being complementary tothe combined height of the musical instrument and folded fabric carryingcase.

2. A package as set forth in claim 1 including a nonrigid, crushable,shock-resistant wrapping means surrounding the body for protecting itduring shipment only.

3. A package as set forth in claim 1 including strap means for securingthe recessed stringed musical instrument and folded fabric case withinsaid body against inadvertent displacement.

1. A package for a stringed musical instrument of the zither type havingstrings on one face thereof and a folded fabric case selectively usablefor carrying said stringed musical instrument, said package including acontainer comprising a molded, substantially rigid, crushable cellularbody, said body haviNg a recess for the reception of said stringedmusical instrument snugly in inverted position and spaced from theperiphery of said body, said fabric case including closure means and acarrying handle and being foldable for reception within the recess insaid body and superimposed upon the back of said stringed musicalinstrument, the depth of the recess in said body being complementary tothe combined height of the musical instrument and folded fabric carryingcase.
 2. A package as set forth in claim 1 including a nonrigid,crushable, shock-resistant wrapping means surrounding the body forprotecting it during shipment only.
 3. A package as set forth in claim 1including strap means for securing the recessed stringed musicalinstrument and folded fabric case within said body against inadvertentdisplacement.